8/6/23, 11:56 PM 12 different parts of a transformer | Transformer parts

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Parts of a transformer

A transformer facilitates the delivery of power electric energy at minimum power loss. The
basic parts of a transformer are the core, the primary winding, and the secondary winding.
Apart from these, there are various other components such as insulation, transformer oil,
cooling arrangements, protection relays, enclosure, etc present in larger transformers. Let’s
discuss the working principle of a transformer before diving into the topic.

Table of contents

Transformer – Principle of operation

Parts of a transformer

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Core
Winding
Insulation
Tank
Terminal and bushings
Transformer oil
Oil Conservators
Breather
Radiators and fans
Explosion vent
Tap changers
Buchholz relay

Transformer – Principle of operation

A transformer is a static device that works on the principle of electromagnetic induction.
When an alternating current flows in the primary winding of a transformer, a varying
electromagnetic field is generated which induces EMF in the secondary winding. The
magnitude of the induced EMF is proportional to the turns ratio.

Parts of a transformer

Parts of a transformer

The following are the various transformer parts:

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1. Core
2. Winding
3. Insulation
4. Tank
5. Terminals and bushings
6. Transformer oil
7. Oil Conservator
8. Breather
9. Radiators and fans
10. Explosion vent
11. Tap Changers
12. Buchholz relay

1. Core
The core provides a low reluctance path for electromagnetic flux and supports the primary
and secondary windings. It is made by stacking thin sheets of high-grade grain-oriented steel
which are separated by thin insulating material. In order to minimize the hysteresis and eddy
currents, the carbon content of the core steel is maintained below 0.1%. When it is alloyed
with silicon, eddy currents can be reduced.

A typical three-phase transformer core is shown in the picture above. Each limb carries the
primary and secondary winding of each phase. The limbs are magnetically coupled by the
yokes. There are two types of core constructions: core type and shell type. In shell-type
construction, the windings are surrounded by the core as shown below:

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Source: https://www.allumiax.com/difference-between-core-form-and-shell-
form-power-transformers-by-generalpac

To know more about transformer cores, their construction and design principles refer:
Transformer core

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2. Winding
The transformer carries two sets of winding per phase – Primary winding and secondary
winding. These winding consists of several turns of copper or aluminum conductors,
insulated from each other and the transformer core. The type and arrangement of winding
used for transformers depend upon the current rating, short circuit strength, temperature
rise, impedance, and surge voltages.

Out of the primary winding and secondary winding, the one which is rated for higher voltage
is known as High voltage (HV) winding and the other is known as Low voltage (LV) winding.

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The high-voltage winding conductors are thinner than the low-voltage conductors and
surround the LV winding from the outside. The LV winding is placed close to the core.

In shell-type transformers, the winding is split into several coils (few turns of a conductor).
The HV coils are sandwiched between the LV coils. Whereas in core-type transformers,
windings are classified into four types: Multi-layer windings, Helical windings, Disc winding,
and foil winding. The choice of winding type is determined by the number of turns and its
current carrying capacity.

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Read more about various types of transformer windings: Types of Transformer windings

3. Insulation
Insulation is the most important part of transformers.
Insulation failures can cause the most severe damage to
transformers. Insulation is required between the windings and
the core, between windings, between each turn of the
winding, and between all current-carrying parts and the tank.
The insulators should have high dielectric strength, good
mechanical properties, and high-temperature withstand ability.
Synthetic materials, paper, cotton, etc are used as insulation
in transformers.

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The core, winding and insulation are the most basic parts of a transformer and are present in
all types.

Learn more about insulators: Insulation materials used in transformers

4. Tank
The main tank is a part of a transformer that serves two purposes:

1. Protects the core and the windings from the external environment.
2. Serves as a container for oil and support for all other transformer accessories.

Tank bodies are made by fabricating rolled steel plates into containers. They are provided
with lifting hooks and cooling tubes. In order to reduce weight and stray losses, aluminum
sheets are also used instead of steel plates. However, aluminum tanks are costlier than steel
ones.

5. Terminal and bushings

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For connecting incoming and outgoing cables, terminals are present in transformers. They
are mounted upon the bushings and connected to the windings’ ends.

Bushings are insulators that form a barrier between the terminals and the tank. They are
mounted over the transformer tanks. They are a safe passage for the conductors connecting
terminals to the windings. They are made from porcelain or epoxy resins.

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6. Transformer oil
In all oil-immersed transformers, transformer oil provides added insulation between the
conducting parts, better heat dissipation, and fault detection features. Hydro-carbon mineral
oil is used as transformer oil. It is composed of aromatics, paraffin, naphthenes, and olefins.
Transformer oil has a flashpoint of 310 degrees Celsius, a relative permeability of 2.7, and a
density of 0.96 kg/cm3.

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7. Oil Conservators

The oil conservator is moved on top of the transformers and is located well above
the tank and bushings. Normally a rubber bladder is present in some oil
conservators. The transformer oil expands and contracts with an increase and
decrease in temperature. The oil conservator provides adequate space for oil
expansion. It is connected to the main tank through a pipe. A level indicator is fitted
to the conservator to indicate the oil level inside.

8. Breather

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Breather is present in all oil-immersed transformers that have a conservator tank. It is

necessary to keep the oil-free from moisture. As the temperature variations cause the
transformer oil to expand and contact, air flows in and out of the conservator tank. This air
should be free from moisture. Breather serves this purpose.

A breather is attached to the end of the air pipe such that the air enters and exits the
conservator through it. The silica gel present in the breathers removes moisture from the air
and delivers moisture-free air to the conservator.

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9. Radiators and fans

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The power lost in the transformer is dissipated in the form of heat. Dry transformers are
mostly natural air-cooled. But when it comes to oil-immersed transformers, a variety of
cooling methods are followed. Depending on the kVA rating, power losses, and level of
cooling requirements, radiators and cooling fans are mounted on the transformer tank.

Parts of a transformer: Radiators and cooling fans

The heat generated in the core and winding is passed to the surrounding transformer oil.
This heat is dissipated at the radiator. In larger transformers forced cooling is achieved with
the help of cooling fans fitted to the radiators.

Read More: Transformer cooling methods

10. Explosion vent

An explosion vent acts as an emergency exit for oil and air gases inside a transformer. It is a
metallic pipe with a diaphragm at one end, held slightly above the conservator tank. Faults
occurring under oil elevate the pressure inside the tank to dangerous levels. Under such
circumstances, the diaphragm ruptures at a relatively low pressure to release the forces from
within the transformer to the atmosphere.

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11. Tap changers

Tap changers are used to adjust the secondary voltage of transformers. They are designed
to change the turn ratio of the transformer as required. There are two types of tap changers:
On-load tap changers and Off-load tap changers.

On-Load tap changers

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Off-load tap changers are designed to operate only when the transformer is not supplying
any loads whereas on-load tap changers are capable of operating without interrupting the
current flow to the load. Automatic tap changers are also available.

12. Buchholz relay

Buchholz relay is one of the most important parts of oil-immersed transformers rated over
500kVA. It is an oil and gas actuated relay that is used to sense faults occurring in the parts
immersed in the oil.

Short circuits occurring under the transformer oil generate enough

heat to decompose the oil into hydrogen, carbon monoxide,
methane, etc. These gases gradually move toward the
conservator tank through the connecting pipe. Buchholz relay,
which is mounted on the pipe connecting the conservator tank and
the main tank, senses these gases and activates the trip and
alarm circuits. The trip circuit opens the circuit breaker supplying
current to the primary winding and interrupts the current flow.

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Read more about the Buchholz relays, their construction, and their operation in detail here.

Apart from all the parts of a transformer discussed above, there are many other sensing
instruments (temperature sensors, pressure sensors, etc.), indicators, protection relays, heat
exchangers (for efficient cooling), and valves present in huge transformers. They are
application-specific and are present in huge transformers.

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